Pretty Penne
Brighten your dinner table with the vibrant and flavorful "Pretty Penne," a delightful pasta dish packed with colorful vegetables and a creamy tomato-basil sauce. This easy-to-make recipe combines tender penne pasta with sautéed red and yellow bell peppers, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes, creating a medley of textures and tastes in every bite. The sauce, made with crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, and a touch of Parmesan, perfectly coats the pasta, while fresh basil adds a fragrant, herby finish. Ready in just 35 minutes and serving four, this wholesome, family-friendly dish is perfect for busy weeknights or casual entertaining. Whether you're looking for a satisfying vegetarian dinner or a new way to enjoy pasta night, Pretty Penne is sure to impress.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 500 grams penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- 1 medium zucchini
- 200 grams cherry tomatoes
- 150 milliliters heavy cream
- 400 grams crushed tomatoes
- 50 grams Parmesan cheese
- 10 fresh basil leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, prepare the vegetables. Dice the red and yellow bell peppers, slice the zucchini into half-moons, and halve the cherry tomatoes. Mince the garlic cloves.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the diced bell peppers and zucchini to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still colorful.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes and simmer for 3 minutes. Then add the heavy cream and mix well to create a creamy sauce.
Add the cherry tomatoes into the sauce and cook for another 2-3 minutes until they soften. Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes.
Toss the cooked penne pasta into the skillet and mix until the pasta is fully coated with the sauce.
Sprinkle the freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta and mix gently.
Remove the skillet from heat and garnish the dish with fresh basil leaves.
Serve hot and enjoy your Pretty Penne!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
499 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 24.5 g | 31% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.9 g | 54% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 49 mg | 16% | |
| Sodium | 595 mg | 26% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 53.9 g | 20% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.9 g | 21% | |
| Total Sugars | 10.0 g | ||
| Protein | 14.5 g | 29% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 163 mg | 13% | |
| Iron | 2.3 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 728 mg | 15% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
